Did you know there was once a large swimming pool in downtown Estes Park? (Courtesy Photo / Estes Park Trail-Gazette)

Abner Sprague was hired to plat the town in 1905 by Cornelius Bond and the Estes Park Town Company. Within weeks, lots along the street named "Elkhorn" were taken up and new businesses were planted. Over the course of a decade, the basic footprint of the town we know today had put down roots. Discover the hidden past on a walking tour of downtown Estes Park with the newly formed Downtown Docent Corps. During the tour, participants will explore historical photographs from the museum's collection to aid in comparing the past to the present.

Now the called The Old Church Shops, this building was a house of worship beginning in 1907. (Courtesy Photo / Estes Park Trail-Gazette)

Identical tours will be offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays beginning on June 23. Tours start promptly at 8:30 a.m. at the Northeast corner of Bond Park (next to the bronze, Enos Mills Sculpture) and return to the same site by 10 a.m. Tours will run every week throughout the summer. The cost is $8, payable by cash, check or credit card on the day of the tour. First come, first served. Space limited to about 12 people.

The Estes Park Museum wishes to thank the Rotary Foundation of Estes Park for its generous support of the downtown walking tours. Support from the Rotary Foundation enabled the museum to invest in an iPad and case which will be utilized on the tours to share historical images. The device allows docents to "zoom in" and show their guests details that might be missed on printed media.

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The Estes Park Museum, located at 200 Fourth Street, is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 until 5 p.m. The mission of the Estes Park Museum is to collect, interpret and preserve local history, as well as to present exhibits, programs and events for the education and benefit of residents and visitors of all ages. For more information call the Estes Park Museum at 970-586-6256 or visit the museum's website at estes.org/museum. Admission is free.

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